Chelsea Manning won't get visa in time for Sydney Opera House event

Chelsea Manning will appear at the Sydney Opera House via satellite from Los Angeles on Sunday, after the department of Home Affairs confirmed it had not yet made a final decision on whether to grant her a visa on Friday afternoon.

Ms Manning, a whistleblower and activist who was released from prison in 2017 after serving seven years for leaking classified military and diplomatic documents to Wikileaks, was scheduled to attend this weekend's Antidote festival – but earlier this week the Australian government informed her of its intention to refuse her visa on character grounds.

New Zealand has allowed Chelsea Manning to enter, but the Australian government hasn't made up its mind. Credit:AP

The tour promoter, Think Inc., has been lobbying Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and new Immigration Minister David Coleman this week to use their ministerial discretion and grant Ms Manning entry to Australia.

"We are of the view that she poses no threat to members of the Australian community," a spokeswoman for Think Inc. said on Thursday.

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"Ms Manning is entitled to freedom of expression and political opinion which are foundations of a free and democratic society and fundamental human rights."

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In addition to her appearance at Antidote, she has speaking events lined up in Melbourne and Brisbane on September 7 and 11, which she may still be able to attend if a decision goes her way in coming days.

Ms Manning will also speak at events in New Zealand, for which she's been cleared after calls by conservative politicians to have her barred entry.

Immigration New Zealand confirmed on Friday morning it had given Manning special dispensation to apply for a visa - a requirement for those who have served lengthy prison terms.

"While Ms Manning was convicted of a serious offence and sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment, it was noted that her sentence was commuted by president [Barack] Obama in January 2017," Immigration New Zealand general manager Steve Stuart said.

"The likelihood of her offending while in New Zealand is considered low ... [we] could see no reason to believe Ms Manning would not comply with the terms and conditions of any visa."

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In addition to lobbying by her tour promoters, Ms Manning has received support from Australian journalist and free speech advocate Peter Greste, who was imprisoned in Egypt for more than 400 days for his reporting, and who will appear alongside her at Sunday's event.

"If the government is serious about defending fundamental liberal principals of human rights, of freedom of speech, of rule of law, of openness and transparency then they ought to be consistent and recognise the contribution that Chelsea Manning will have to public debate," Mr Greste told Fairfax Media on Thursday.

Amnesty International accused the government of trying to silence Ms Manning.

"By refusing her entry, the Australian government would send a chilling message that freedom of speech is not valued by our government," Amnesty International national director Claire Mallinson said in a statement.

A change.org petition has gathered more than 16,000 signatures since it was started on Thursday.